The Blues could be buyers, and sellers, at the deadline. On this episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger, Kelly and Darren take a trip around the NHL to tell us about recent coaching changes creating a spark for NHL playoff hopefuls, saying goodbye to Joe Louis Arena, and with the NHL trade deadline approaching, we…

The Blues could be buyers, and sellers, at the deadline.

Kyle Brodziak

On this episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger, Kelly and Darren take a trip around the NHL to tell us about recent coaching changes creating a spark for NHL playoff hopefuls, saying goodbye to Joe Louis Arena, and with the NHL trade deadline approaching, we learn who will be the buyers and sellers come March 1st. Also, Chase and Panger are joined by St. Louis Blues forward, Kyle Brodziak. Brodziak discusses his early days as a youngster with the Edmonton Oilers, his quest for a chance to hoist the Stanley Cup, and what it's like to be a family man in the offseason. Hit the ice with this episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger!

Garth Smith, Vice President of VH Footwear, joins the show!

On this episode of the Chasen Pucks with Panger, Kelly and Darren are back and ready to take a trip around the NHL. The guys discuss the Top 100 Greatest NHL Players, as recently unveiled at the NHL All-Star Game in Los Angeles, and the all-star game itself. Also, hot takes on the recent play of the St. Louis Blues, Mike Yeo taking over for Ken Hitchcock, and trade rumors popping up around the league. Finally, Kelly and Darren are joined by Garth Smith, Vice President of VH Footwear. Garth tells us about the origins of the skate company, the advantages of the revolutionary skate, and how you can get your hands on a pair of your own. Join us for this episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger!

Over the past 20 years, many have wondered what could have been. What if Wayne Gretzky had finished his career as a member of the St. Louis Blues? What if we were able to see Gretzky on the same line with Brett Hull for three more years, instead of just 31 games? For years, many had written off Gretzky as nothing more than a footnote in Blues history. Others went as far as to say he was not a “True Blue”.

Over this past weekend at Busch Stadium, Wayne Gretzky reappeared as a member of the St. Louis Blues Alumni in a historic game against the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni. Not only was this a magical game for everyone in St. Louis, it was the most attended alumni game since the inception of the Winter Classic. The return of Gretzky seemed to welcome him back into the St. Louis Blues family. Fans wanted to see “The Great One”, and the Blues organization delivered.

On the most recent episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger, Darren Pang was able to catch up with Gretzky after the alumni game and asked his thoughts on what is taking place in St. Louis. “To come here and see the number of people at the alumni game, and not to see one empty seat,” Gretzky said. “They've (fans) really rallied around this event. It just shows you how far hockey has come in this city, how big the sport has gotten, and how popular it can be.”

Apparently, Gretzky's ties to St. Louis went even deeper than his short tenure with the Blues in 1996. “I grew up a huge Cardinals fan,” said Gretzky. “In those days, we'd get the Cardinals games on the radio. So, I used to listen to Jack Buck and kinda fall asleep listening to Cardinal games.”

An avid baseball fan, Gretzky dreamed of playing baseball, not hockey, at Busch Stadium. “I wish I could've played third base or pitched one game here for the Cardinals in professional baseball, but that's obviously not gonna happen,” Gretzky said of his Cardinals fandom. “Maybe it's only fitting my last game was played at a baseball stadium. I can combine the two sports, hockey and baseball.”

Gretzky has also seen the growth of hockey in St. Louis. A lot of things have changed in the past twenty years since he was a Blue, and he was quick to point it out. “The youth hockey programs here have been so strong,” noted Gretzky. “Five boys were selected in the first round of the NHL draft from St. Louis. I don't care if you're St. Louis, or Edmonton, or Winnipeg, or Saskatoon…you get five boys drafted in the first round, that's pretty special. It shows you how far hockey has come in this area, and it's only going to get more and more popular. And, it's only going to get bigger.”

Wayne Gretzky is forever a member of the St. Louis Blues. He very well may have donned a Blues sweater for his final trip around the rink. I think it is okay now to look back with fondness on Gretzky's limited days as a member of this treasured organization. We might not have seen it for long, but at least we did see it. Remember, Wayne Gretzky did not have to play in the alumni game. He didn't do it for himself, he did it for the fans of the St. Louis Blues. He is a “True Blue”.

On this episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger, Kelly and Darren are at the Winter Classic and they managed to catch up with some very special people. Wayne Gretzky joined Darren Pang to discuss his involvement in the alumni game for the St. Louis Blues. We learn about The Great One's love for the St. Louis Cardinals, his appreciation for how hockey has evolved in St. Louis, and a fascinating take on lining up with Brett Hull one more time for the alumni game. Also, we hear from “Doc” Emrick, lead hockey announcer for NBC and NBC Sports, as well as Blues goaltenders, Jake Allen and Carter Hutton. Join us for this must-listen episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger!

On this episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger, Chase and Pang welcome one of the all-time greats between the pipes, Martin Brodeur. Brodeur recalls his time growing up in Montreal, a brilliant career in New Jersey, incredible showings in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and winning Olympic gold as a member of Team Canada in Salt Lake City. Also, Kelly and Darren discuss the NHL divisional standings and standing up for your teammates in today's NHL. It is all here on this episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger!

On this episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger, Kelly and Darren welcome former NHL defenseman and current Dallas Stars analyst, Craig Ludwig. “Luddy” discusses his playing career, his biggest influences, winning the Stanley Cup, and his life as an analyst for the Dallas Stars. Also, Chase and Pang tackle the youth movement in the NHL and the teams underperforming in this young season. Join us for this episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger!

This week on Chasen Pucks with Panger, the boys welcome NHL Hall of Famer, and Executive Vice President of the St. Louis Blues, Brett Hull. Brett discusses lacing up the skates for the Winter Classic at Busch Stadium and the excitement that comes with playing an outdoor game in St. Louis. We also learn more about Brett's Hall of Fame induction, NHL rule changes, and the difficulty of setting rosters for the Winter Classic's alumni game. We are getting geared up for the Winter Classic on this episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger!

Episode 20 – On this episode, we touch on the surprises and disappointments from around the NHL. We also have some emotional moments while talking about Craig Anderson's incredible shutout, and we have a special guest, producer Adam Scorgie and his documentary “Ice Guardians “. Sit back and give a listen to this episode of Chasen Pucks with Panger! On Twitter, follow the show at @NHLShow and Chaser at @Chasenpucks39 and Panger at @Panger40 – plus, find the show on Facebook at facebook.com/NHLShow and subscribe and share on iTunes, Stitcher and Podbean using these links: NHLPodcast.com/iTunes or NHLPodcast.com/Stitcher or NHLPodcast.com/Podbean. Email us at info@nhlpodcast.com

Kelly Chase and Darren Pang look back on the phenomenal NHL season. The Blues had great playoff success. Pang believes if you had told Blues fans “that they were going to lose in the conference finals, at the beginning of the season, they would have taken that deal.”

The free agent market is going to be very interesting this off-season. Chase points out, “Steven Stamkos is going to be an unrestricted free agent, and he will be a guy that will have to be at the top of the list.” Teams are going to be looking at their players and either resigning players or cutting the cord to save cap space. Pang believes, “there are going to be teams cherry picking for Andrew Shaw, and Chicago can’t do anything about it.”

The Washington Capitals second round playoff exit surprised both hosts. Pang laments, “I thought it was the year of the Capitals.” Chase adds, “I did too.”

The hosts congratulate Montreal Canadiens new associate coach Kirk Muller. “He gets an opportunity to go back home. He is through and through a Montreal Canadian,” says Chase. Muller is a former Canadiens captain as a player.

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